Tiny Houses offer a lot: freedom, adventure, minimalism, financial stability, environmental consciousness...the list goes on.
But there are many things that can cause your tiny house endeavor to fall short or cause real issues for you.
Through understanding people’s tiny house success and horror stories, living off-grid in cabins and tiny houses, and doing hundreds upon hundreds of hours of research into the tiny house movement, I have found that the pitfalls of tiny houses are ultimately avoidable if handled correctly. I am here to tell you exactly what those common mistakes are and how you can avoid them.
Mistake #1: Not Knowing Why
Many people fail to ask themselves: “why do I want to live in a tiny house?” Not asking this question is a big mistake. (Bonus: Is A Tiny House Right For Me?)
For some people, the reason may be obvious, like ridding oneself of mortgage payments and debt. For others, the reason may be more ambiguous, such as the pursuit of meaning through minimalism. Whatever the reason, make sure you mull it over before diving into your tiny house life.
Not only will this help you ensure that this transition is right for you, but it will also make sure that you find the right tiny house for your specific needs.
A good way to reframe tiny houses is to think of them simply as a tool and the life you envision as the end goal.
Mistake #2: Skipping the Practice Run
I remember the first time I stayed in a tiny house. It was an incredible off-grid garage-door cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. Those few nights gave me an explosion of ideas for tiny house living.
Be sure to take a practice run like this! There are a handful of reasons to live tiny part-time before living tiny full-time. You can find tiny houses for rent on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, which can give you great insight into what you do and don’t like about tiny house life.
For one, you can confirm that the tiny house lifestyle suits you.
Beyond that initial confirmation, time spent in a tiny house is invaluable because it helps you get a sense of the space you need, the type of kitchen you want, and the type of sleeping arrangement that suits you. In general, it will get your creative juices flowing, from decor to storage to outdoor space.
Spend a little bit of time and money now, and you will be well on your way to identifying what your ideal tiny house future looks like.
Mistake #3: Not Detailing The Budget
Notice how I said detailing and didn’t say having. Most people are decent at understanding how much is too much, but it is all too common to budget in generalities and not take the time to get your hands dirty in the financial details. (More here on how to get a tiny house even if you have no money.)
Don’t go into your tiny house endeavor simply saying, “I know that I have $25,000 to spend on this project.” That approach will undoubtedly leave you in a financial pickle.
Instead, break it down and write it out.
If I’m buying, how much can I spend on the tiny house and how much will it really cost?
How much will land cost?
If I’m building, how much will the tools and materials cost, item by item? What about the cost of hired labor, like an electrician or plumber? What about builder permits?
How much income will I be making during the time I build? Will this cash flow be impacted by my project?
How will I account for my ongoing expenses, like insurance and utilities?
Once you have answered all of these questions, build a spreadsheet that clearly identifies exactly how you will spend the money that you have. Account for the expenses before moving into your tiny house and your expenses when living in your tiny house.
Taking this step can seem tedious, and it is undoubtedly tempting to start without planning too much, but making a financial plan will really help you make sure that you create the best kind of tiny life you can without finding yourself financially strained.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Boring Stuff
It is all too common to take the “ehh we’ll be fine” approach and ignore legal considerations and insurance.
While most of us wish we could build or buy our tiny house and be left alone, the reality is a bit trickier. Plenty of legal considerations, like zoning and building code, come into play depending on where you place your tiny house and what kind of tiny house you own.
The law doesn’t really know how to treat tiny houses yet, at least not everywhere. Sometimes they are legally considered a house, while other times, they are considered an RV. It can be difficult to figure out a way to make a tiny house legally and park or place it legally.
There is no doubt, some people choose to do everything completely by the book, while others choose to accept the risk that comes with the legal gray zone of tiny houses. Regardless of the path you take, make sure you acquaint yourself with tiny house law, as it will give you peace of mind.
Mistake #5: Assuming Resale Value
Search online for preowned tiny houses, and you will certainly find several options, some of which are more costly than others. There is no doubt that there is a resale market, but the reality is that tiny houses lose value over time. From a lifestyle perspective and savings perspective, they are an incredible investment. On the flip side, strictly financially speaking, tiny houses are not a financial investment.
Some folks make the mistake of buying a tiny house, thinking that they will be able to recoup that money in the future. The reality is that reselling a tiny house is like reselling a car, so treat them as such.
Mistake #6: Talking to Your Partner
For those making the tiny house transition with a partner, learning from others’ challenges can be greatly beneficial.
For one, make sure you are actually on the same page about the tiny house. Understand both if and why you want to live tiny and spend time prioritizing needs separately and together. Like marriage, children, or any other big life event, converting your life to a tiny house is a change that shouldn’t be left up to assumption.
After that fundamental step, make sure your tiny house suits you from a privacy and space perspective. Living in close quarters with anyone can pose some challenges, so consider how you like to spend your time together and alone before going tiny, and make sure that your tiny house aligns with those needs.
Once living tiny, be intentional in honoring the needs you both communicated. Some tiny house owners even create schedules and calendars for alone time.
The good news: tiny house couples regularly say that even amidst these challenges, the tiny house journey and life make relationships even stronger.
Mistake #7: Not Thinking (Way) Ahead
Whether you are single, have a partner, or already have a family, think about the future in the tiny house life. Since tiny houses cannot be resold for equal or more money, it is best not to think of a tiny house as a 5-year plan, but rather a long-term solution.
If you don’t have kids, think about whether you plan to have them.
If you have kids, think about their needs as they grow up.
If you are pushing retirement age, think about what health needs you may have in the future.
Whatever your current situation, think about how it may change and make your tiny house fit that potential need.
Mistake #8: Assuming Smaller Is Cheaper
Many tiny house owners will tell you the shock they got when they shopped for appliances.
And rightfully so. It makes sense that a tiny dishwasher, tiny refrigerator, or tiny oven would cost less. But the reality is that the market is slim for small appliances, so manufacturers can charge a bit more.
Work this extra expense into your budget from the onset, and you will avoid any surprises! When researching appliances, look in the RV and boating industries, as these manufacturers tend to serve the need for compactness and energy efficiency.
Mistake #9: Skimping on Quality Materials
So many people have built tiny houses using repurposed materials.
Don’t get me wrong: this is awesome!
The tiny house movement is largely about reducing consumption and living in an environmentally friendly way, so using recycled material is highly recommended.
With that said, straddling the line between recycled material and quality material can pose some challenges. In the pursuit of building a tiny house that is ultra-green, some tiny house owners end up building a tiny house that is not as high quality. Using materials like recycled windows and recycled doors are fantastic ways to reduce consumption, cost, and still have a quality tiny house.
On the other hand, using recovered wood for the tiny house walls and roof rafters can pose some risk that your tiny house simply isn’t structurally sound. This is not to say that you shouldn’t recover wood at all, it just means understanding that the quality of your material impacts the quality of your tiny house.
Perhaps the most upsetting part of this mistake is that low-quality construction results in high environmental impact. Poor insulation and framing materials can end up leaking heat. Low-quality materials also end up needing more maintenance and replacement, which means more material over time.
The best way to avoid this mistake is to be mindful of your priorities. Prioritize quality in the build above using recycled materials, and use recycled materials where quality is not compromised. Remember that doing so will mean a greener tiny house over time!
Mistake #10: “We’ll Figure Out Where”
For some, the location is everything, but for others, the lack of location is everything. Being able to take your home on the road with you is one of many reasons that tiny houses on wheels are such a trend.
Surely, if the tiny house is on wheels, we can find a place for it, right?
Think again. Location is a challenge. Depending on the state or country you reside in, you face different issues with zoning and parking. Some cities allow tiny houses in backyards, while some states don’t allow tiny houses at all.
Rest assured--there is a place for your tiny house. Tiny house communities are popping up all over the place, rural landowners are leasing land to tiny house owners, and restrictions are generally loosening when it comes to parking a tiny house or building one on a foundation. National parks and campgrounds are also solid options.
Nevertheless, don’t build or buy a tiny house and then say, “alright, where should I go with this?” At least map out where you intend to take it, understand options on and off-grid, and have a plan.
The freedom of tiny house living is an incredible advantage compared to the standard house life most are used to. Find that freedom with a little bit of a plan, and you will be golden.
Mistake #11: Not Downsizing Soon Enough
A tiny house is more about changing your life than changing your space.
This statement is something you hear time and time again among tiny house owners.
That means you need to not only get your tiny house but also prepare for living in it; you need to prepare for the life change before the space changes.
Downsizing over time allows for a mindset shift as well. It enables you to become more minimalist before you are forced to, and this makes the transition much smoother.
Mistake #12: Not Accounting for the Width
This is one of the most common mistakes, and while it might not result in practical problems, it has caused tiny house owners issues over the years.
Depending on where you live, you likely have road limits to the width of your tiny house on wheels. In the United States, that width limit is 8.5 feet (2.59 meters). Trailers also tend to come in the size of 8-8.5 feet wide, so we should be good, right?
Think again. You have to account for the width of the roof and the external siding, which can push you over the width limit. If over this limit, you need to acquire very expensive permits to tow the tiny house or risk fines.
Mistake #13: Not Accounting for Weight
If you are building a tiny house on wheels and taking it across the country, you probably are considering the weight. That said, the tiny house on wheels that is permanently parked also needs to account for weight.
Many tiny house builders don’t realize that trailers have rated weight limits dependent upon the axles. This means that if you build a tiny house on wheels and keep it parked, weight still can put your tiny house’s structural integrity at risk. Ouch!
So how do you avoid this?
For one, it is best to get a sense of what tiny houses weigh and plan accordingly. Acquire a trailer that is beyond the weight you need.
Additionally, and more recommended, choose lightweight materials throughout the build, know the sum total weight of your materials, and then weigh your tiny house after the build is complete to validate that it isn’t going to strain your axles.
Mistake #14: Underdoing The Storage
We all have stuff, even in a tiny house! While living tiny is very much about reducing your belongings only to what you need, it doesn’t mean that you won’t still have belongings. It isn’t uncommon for tiny house owners to focus so much on the functional elements of the house--the kitchen, the plumbing, the bed--only to forget that the house also needs to function from a storage perspective.
Some tiny house owners even need to rent a storage unit, which can chip away at financial freedom and make life more complicated.
The best way to avoid the not-enough storage mistake is to build substantial storage into a staircase, hang things from your walls vertically, and plan how you will use your storage before building or buying.
Mistake #15: Misunderstanding Construction
There was a point in time when I was watching countless timelapse videos of people building tiny houses. I absolutely love seeing what people create, and there is something therapeutic about a timelapse house construction.
Anyway...after a while, it became apparent that while many DIY builders really take the time to understand what they are building and why they are building it, many DIY builders take a lax approach that will undoubtedly result in problems within a year after the build is complete.
Those videos I’m talking about are like one I saw of a couple building a small off-grid cabin from reclaimed lumber and recycled components. The video is awesome, and the build looks good to the untrained eye--straight walls, solid roof, nicely fit windows--but to someone with experience, it is a disaster.
You see, a common misunderstanding about construction is that a building is purely to protect its inhabitants from the outside. The reality is that construction is more about protecting the structure itself. That means protecting the wall frames, floor, and roof from liquid water, heat, cold, sun, and moisture.
Back to the video mentioned above, the walls, roof, and windows all looked good, but they weren’t protected for the long haul. Insulation was mostly ignored, house wrap was forgotten, and air control was an afterthought. The house looked good and could handle water, but it wasn’t ready for heat, cold, sun, or moisture. While what this couple did was certainly impressive and deserves no shame, I would bet that their tiny cabin ran into a lot of issues with mold, rot, and air quality.
All said and done, you CAN build a great tiny house with zero construction experience. You just need to learn the basic concepts of construction and apply them to your build. With fundamentals, you will make a tiny house that works now and well into the future.
For a detailed construction guide, check out my book How to Build a Tiny House on Wheels Step by Step.
Mistake #16: Confusing DIY with DI(A)Y
Okay, I admit, DI(A)Y--or Do-It-All-Yourself--isn’t really a thing.
Nevertheless, in the world of tiny house construction, it should be. There is so much middle ground between buying a pre-built tiny house and building one completely on your own.
One common approach is to DIY your tiny house but to outsource some or all of the electricity, plumbing, and insulation. This approach strikes a great balance between cost and safety.
Another option is to buy a tiny house shell, where the structure and exterior are complete, but the rest is not. This option is great for people who want to personalize a tiny house but don’t want to build the walls and roof themselves.
Altogether, DIY doesn’t have to be a yes or no endeavor. There are many options for enjoying the tiny house build process without doing every bit of it yourself. Some may find that this makes it more approachable while still being affordable.
Mistake #17: Losing Sleep (Literally)
If you’ve ever gone down the tiny house rabbit hole on Youtube, you’d get a sense that a lot of tiny house owners aren’t happy with their sleeping arrangements!
As it turns out, these issues are also completely avoidable.
The main reason that tiny house beds become a pain for people is their location. From watching tiny house shows or seeing designs, many people assume that they need to put their tiny house bed in a loft. And certainly, there is nothing wrong with this, but many people find that it doesn’t suit their needs.
For one, sleeping in a loft when the bathroom is downstairs can get really old, especially if you only have a ladder to your loft and not a set of stairs. Many tiny house owners mention that this makes their lives harder and makes falling back to sleep after using the bathroom more difficult.
Another issue is that the tiny house loft can get a little bit stuffy. Heat rises, and if the loft doesn’t have proper ventilation--which is another mistake in and of itself--then it can become your least favorite part of the tiny house.
Aside from sleeping, placing your bed in a tiny house loft can cause some challenges. Namely, changing the sheets in a tight area can be tedious and a pain on your knees.
Lastly, for all you adults, ask yourself what else you use your bed for. Whether you are living alone or with a partner, don’t forget that the bed is not just for sleeping. Wherever you put your bed, be sure to consider intimacy and privacy.
With these challenges being such a pain, you may wonder how to avoid them. If you choose to use the loft for your bed, be sure to install a staircase with a handrail instead of a ladder. On the flip side, if you decide not to use the loft, understand that there are a litany of options, from pull-out trundle beds to murphy beds to elevator beds.
Mistake #18: Cooking Up Issues
An unfortunate theme among not only tiny house owners but people in general is that their cooking is often only as good as their kitchen. I remember in my early twenties finding an apartment that was cheap and seemed good enough, with a kitchen that was barely functional. I told myself, “you’ll manage.”
Well, I ended up “managing” by ordering out food and cooking unhealthy meals in my microwave.
The harsh reality of a subpar kitchen is that it will make you change your cooking habits, which can cost you in more ways than one.
Tiny house owners echo the importance of having a kitchen that meets your needs as they are. They will often recommend that you don’t think about how you would like to cook, but instead how you actually cook. Being realistic about these needs, whether they make you a gourmet chef or microwave ramen extraordinaire, will help you avoid having a kitchen that underserves you or takes up valuable space.
Mistake #19: Picking the Wrong Insulation
Insulation is an important part of the tiny house. It keeps your interior pleasant and plays a significant role in protecting the structure. It also brings potential challenges, like moisture and mold. In fact, screwing up the insulation is the biggest design mistake builders make.
Since the tiny house movement is bootstrapped and heavily DIY, it is easy to go online and find a video of someone explaining the insulation they used.
You’ll find ones of people using spray foam, rock wool, denim, and rigid foam boards, to name a few.
But you may miss where they are located and what kind of challenges are found in their climate. For example, hot and humid Florida requires a different kind of insulation as arid and variable Colorado.
Do your specific research on your location or locations, and pick the right insulation for you. Prioritize quality insulation for your needs, and you will save yourself the hassle and cost in the long run.
Mistake #20: Going It Alone
One of the best ways to approach any new undertaking is with people you care about. Many people go through the tiny house process alone, which ultimately makes it more difficult and way less fun.
Ask around for help from loved ones, friends, and neighbors. You’d be amazed how willing people are to help, whether through hard labor, lending tools, or giving insightful ideas.
You can also get involved in the tiny house community in your area by finding online forums and meetups among tiny house owners. Some would even go as far as to say that the most rewarding part of the tiny house life is the camaraderie that is found among like-minded people living tiny.
Don’t be shy to let the world know that you are creating a better life through tiny living! Sure, it is different from the norm, but that is what makes it so worthwhile. Surround yourself with people that will support you.
Mistake #21: Analysis Paralysis
It can be intimidating to transition to a tiny house. There are lots of questions to answer and considerations to make. I know for me, I’ve spent months on end researching and researching and researching.
But, at a certain point, once you have made a plan, done your due diligence, and understand your goal, it is time to act!
Many folks out there would love to transition to the tiny house life but are afraid or don’t feel like they know enough yet.
To avoid this mistake, arm yourself with the tiny house information you need, build your plan, and set it into motion. There are seven days in a week, and “one day” is not one of them!
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